Chapter 12%
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Congratdations in your wedding I’d love to meet and discuss a potential collaboration Dinner next week at Le Jardin My trent. Mlyn’s
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and Only the fanciest, ist degustingly exclusive place in Europe Reservations costs more than a car I arched a browit
“Oh, she’s trying to impress me.”
“Careful,” John said lazily. “Could be Danica playing dress–up.”
I laughed. “She’s dead, babe. Besides, what’s she gonna do? Haunt my wine glass?“%
Still I replied.
“Of course. Can’t wait. See you there.”
Game on.
And if she was alive? Good
Let the bitch come out of hiding. I was ready for her. I had her man, her name, her fucking life. What more could I take?! Everything!!
John took a long drag from his cigar, exhaling smoke into the ceiling like he owned the damn stars.
“You know,” he said casually, eyes flicking to me, “I could’ve married you.”
I raised a perfectly sculpted brow, still wrapped in satin sheets and afterglow. “Oh?”
He gave that signature De Santis smirk. The one Reagan inherited but never quite mastered. “Yeah. I told you once. You remember? You said you wanted a crown. I said I could give your one.”
I laughed–sharp, cruel, amused. “I remember I also remember laughing in your face.”
John arched an eyebrow, “And yet here you are.“!!
Lleaned over, pressing my lips to the rim of my scotch glass before whispering, “I married Reagan because he was Danica’s husband. Her everything. I didn’t want a new kingdom–I wanted hers.”
He stared at me for a beat. Then chuckled darkly “You’re a wicked little thing.”
I smirked. “That’s why you like me.”
“I do like you. Especially when you scream my name louder than my son’s ”
I laughed–genuine this time. “Well, credit where it’s due. You’ve got experience. Reagan’s been… disappointing lately. Always whining. always asking when I’m getting pregnant.” I rolled my eyes. “So boring.”
John leaned back, teeth flashing like a wolf’s. “Why not tell him the truth?”
I stilled.
He exhaled slowly, watching me from under hooded lids. “That you can’t have kids. That your uterus was removed two years ago in that hush–hush surgery in Switzerland. That you’ll never give him the legacy he’s desperate for.“8
My jaw clenched. “You promised never to bring that up. idiot!”
“I didn’t promise not to slap you with reality.”
“You bastard.”
“And you’re a liar” he said smoothly, tepping ash into a crystal tray. “So what? We’re even.”
I threw the covers off, climbed out of bed, grabbing my coat with fury boring in every step. “You think you can talk to me like that?”
“I do talk to you like that,” he said, unbothered. “Because you like it. Because you know I’m the only one who knows the real you–and still wants you anyway.”
I paused at the door Hait messy, Lipstick smudged, Pride cracked.”
He looked at me. Calm. Cold.!!
“Danica had the crown,” he said. “But you? You’re the shadow trying i
I didn’t say a word.
it on
Just left. Heeled fury echoing through the marble halls. I wasn’t shaken.!!
I was reminded. Of what I had to protect
And what I had left to destroy. Let Danica come.
Because the next time we’re face to face, there’ll be no white dresses. Only red.
